Boys basketball: McCarney to lead Lakeland into a familiar territory

WANAQUE – When Ryan McCarney took the head boys basketball coaching job at Lakeland High School he left behind his spot as an assistant coach for the Jefferson Falcons.

Steve Cook and the Lakeland Lancers will look to rise above the Jefferson Falcons on Monday.

On Monday night McCarney will return to the gymnasium where he not only coached but where he played his high school ball, as he leads the Lancers into their North I, Group 3 sectional matchup against Jefferson.

"I am looking forward to going back there. They have great kids that are hard working and that hurt you in different ways," said McCarney who coached at Jefferson for six years before taking the Lakeland job.

When McCarney took the Lakeland job he was unsure what to expect considering the relationship that the team had developed with their former coach Brian Phillips.

"Brian did a great job with turning this program around and bringing a winning mentality. I was a little unsure how they would respond to me as a new coach but they have been tremendous," said McCarney.

When an early season practice was cancelled due to snow and the makeup practice was to be held at 6 a.m. the following day McCarney had his answer of whether or not the team bought into what he was trying to do.

"They were there at 5:45 a.m. waiting for me to turn the lights on," recalled McCarney. "Anything that I have asked them to do this year they have done it."

The dedication that the team has shown has paid off in the team's results as they will go into Monday night's game at Jefferson with a 13-11 record ensuring that the team will finish above .500 for just the second time in the past seven years.

While the teams record continues to get better McCarney and his players are far from content with finishing the season with a winning record.

"We are not satisfied with just having a winning record," said McCarney. "We are not just happy to be in the state tournament, we want to steal a few games."

Playing in the difficult Big North conference the Lancers have been tested on a nightly basis. On some occasions the Lancers have passed their tests with flying colors and on other nights they have missed their mark.

"We can be as good as anyone, Jefferson is going to be a big challenge but the guys are hungry," said McCarney who commented that his team has proven that they can beat anyone or lose to any one on any given night.

In their final regular season test on Thursday night the Lancers fell behind DePaul 14-6 after one quarter but they hung with the Spartans for the balance of the game before falling 40-36.

The loss snapped the Lancers five game winning streak but regardless of the loss the Lancers have established a formula for winning in the postseason during their recent success.

"We have been playing with more intensity on both ends of the court," said McCarney. "We have been taking care of the ball."

Coming into the year Tristen Downey and Petko Ljusic were the only two seniors that had significant varsity experience. While the duo has led the way for the Lancers, McCarney knows it is the teams balance that has helped them this season.

"We have good balance, on any given night anyone can have a big game," said McCarney .

If the 15th seeded Lancers are to beat the second seeded Falcons on Monday night the Lakeland boys will need a total team effort.

"We are excited for the challenge and the guys are hungry to get a win," said McCarney.

Steve Cook and the Lakeland Lancers will look to rise above the Jefferson Falcons on Monday.

On Monday night McCarney will return to the gymnasium where he not only coached but where he played his high school ball, as he leads the Lancers into their North I, Group 3 sectional matchup against Jefferson.

"I am looking forward to going back there. They have great kids that are hard working and that hurt you in different ways," said McCarney who coached at Jefferson for six years before taking the Lakeland job.

When McCarney took the Lakeland job he was unsure what to expect considering the relationship that the team had developed with their former coach Brian Phillips.

"Brian did a great job with turning this program around and bringing a winning mentality. I was a little unsure how they would respond to me as a new coach but they have been tremendous," said McCarney.

When an early season practice was cancelled due to snow and the makeup practice was to be held at 6 a.m. the following day McCarney had his answer of whether or not the team bought into what he was trying to do.

"They were there at 5:45 a.m. waiting for me to turn the lights on," recalled McCarney. "Anything that I have asked them to do this year they have done it."

The dedication that the team has shown has paid off in the team's results as they will go into Monday night's game at Jefferson with a 13-11 record ensuring that the team will finish above .500 for just the second time in the past seven years.

While the teams record continues to get better McCarney and his players are far from content with finishing the season with a winning record.

"We are not satisfied with just having a winning record," said McCarney. "We are not just happy to be in the state tournament, we want to steal a few games."

Playing in the difficult Big North conference the Lancers have been tested on a nightly basis. On some occasions the Lancers have passed their tests with flying colors and on other nights they have missed their mark.

"We can be as good as anyone, Jefferson is going to be a big challenge but the guys are hungry," said McCarney who commented that his team has proven that they can beat anyone or lose to any one on any given night.

In their final regular season test on Thursday night the Lancers fell behind DePaul 14-6 after one quarter but they hung with the Spartans for the balance of the game before falling 40-36.

The loss snapped the Lancers five game winning streak but regardless of the loss the Lancers have established a formula for winning in the postseason during their recent success.

"We have been playing with more intensity on both ends of the court," said McCarney. "We have been taking care of the ball."

Coming into the year Tristen Downey and Petko Ljusic were the only two seniors that had significant varsity experience. While the duo has led the way for the Lancers, McCarney knows it is the teams balance that has helped them this season.

"We have good balance, on any given night anyone can have a big game," said McCarney .

If the 15th seeded Lancers are to beat the second seeded Falcons on Monday night the Lakeland boys will need a total team effort.

"We are excited for the challenge and the guys are hungry to get a win," said McCarney.